How to Freeze Credit on Deceased Persons

After the death of a loved one, you need to be attentive to many financial responsibilities, including closing out accounts and dividing the estate between heirs. One step that often gets forgotten is reporting the death to the credit bureaus. If you fail to freeze the credit report of the deceased person, an identity thief could apply for credit in that person's name and leave your family with even more responsibilities to deal with.

Instructions

1

Make three copies of the death certificate.

2

Write a letter that identifies the deceased person by name, addresses from the last five years, date of birth, date of death and Social Security number.

3

Write that this person has died, and that you would like the person's credit report to be closed with a notification of "Deceased. Do not issue credit. If an application is made for credit, notify the following person immediately: (insert your name and phone number)."

4

Request that the credit bureau send you an updated copy of the credit report after this change has been made. If you are not the spouse of the deceased, you must include a copy of your executorship papers to be eligible to receive the credit report.

5

Send a letter and a copy of the death certificate to each of the three credit bureaus through certified mail with return receipt requested. Their addresses are: TransUnion, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834; Equifax Information Services LLC, Office of Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 105169, Atlanta, GA, 30348; and Experian, P.O. Box 9701, Allen, TX, 75013.